CMST Course Offerings
This course is an overview of the field of Communication Studies and introduces students to the ways public and private human communication shape our world. Combining a social scientific and humanistic perspective, students will use communication theories to explore a range of topics to explain, critique, and problem-solve interpersonal, group, cultural, and organizational issues related to communication.
Intro to Mass Communication is a survey course that examines the history, institutions, and social impact of mass media communication and emerging technologies. Study focuses on critical analysis of the channels of mass media, as well as the media messages produced in advertising, news, and pop culture. The course includes discussion of major theories in the field, including theories on media literacy, agenda setting, media effects, and the role of representation in understanding gender and cultural diversity. Special attention is given to the impact of mass media on individuals and society. Associate Degree credit & transfer to WSU and EWU credit
This course is a study of effective interpersonal skill development with the goal of improving personal and work relationships. Emphasis is placed on the personal, situational, and cultural influences of interaction. Topics include human perception, interpersonal dynamics, listening, conflict management, communication as shared meaning through the use of verbal and nonverbal symbol systems. The course is intended for students who communicate in one-on-one situations, including social work, healthcare, public service and business majors. This course is intended for students who are interested in improving interpersonal skills in work, volunteer, and personal environments. (FT). Associate Degree credit & transfer to WSU credit.
The course aims to reduce students’ anxiety in public presentations, emphasize speech preparation, enhance public speaking skills, extemporaneous speaking, and make students better able to evaluate their own performance and that of others. Students will present a variety of speeches (informative, persuasive, group, commemorative, etc.) from short and informal formats, to longer and more formal formats. Associate Degree credit & transfer to WSU and EWU credit
*This course is also sometimes offered as a dual language (Spanish-English) public speaking course for people who would like the opportunity to present speeches in Spanish as well as English. This is a great choice for first-time English language learners, as well as first-time Spanish learners!
Intro to Intercultural Communication is a survey course that focuses on the importance of culture in our everyday lives, and the ways in which culture affects communication skills and processes. In an era of rapid globalization being able to communicate across cultures is imperative to our ability to function in a diverse workplace, city, and world. This class will introduce the student to foundational and contemporary concepts, practices, and processes of intercultural communication, methods of critical intercultural analysis, and the scholarly field of Intercultural Communication. Through the study of intercultural communication theories, and reflection on contexts (social, cultural and historical) in which we live and communicate, students will develop sensitivity to the role culture plays in communication. (Course pre-requisite: CMST 210 Interpersonal Communication or CMST 220 Public Speaking). Associate Degree credit & transfer to WSU credit.
*Meets diversity requirement
This course is a mastery course that moves beyond the fundamentals of public speaking. In this class public speaking is understood as a primary means of motivating change, of developing critical thinking and self-reflection, and of creating connections across difference. The student will be introduced to rhetorical theory and will have the opportunity to apply their creativity to a range of assignments from storytelling to crisis speech making. Associate Degree credit & transfer to WSU and EWU credit
This course is a study of the concepts and theories related to group formation and development, and basic group communication dynamics. Students lead and participate in various forms of group discussion and activities. This course is designed for Communication Studies majors, business majors, nursing majors, and community activists, as well as for anyone interested in working effectively in small group settings. (HU)